Experiential Master Planning

We believe that digital offerings are at their best when they blend seamlessly into their surrounding, so we often engage in a process we call Experiential Master Planning. In these strategic studies, we interview stakeholders and observe user behavior in physical spaces, which helps us identify how we can create the best overall visitor experience. That could mean integrating a touchscreen, improving signage, or anything in-between. When we examine the offerings holistically the way a user would, the end result is a simpler, more visitor-friendly experience. To give you a glimpse into this process, we’re highlighting three projects currently underway in Philadelphia: the Independence Visitor Center, the Mann Center for Performing Arts, and the Lit Brothers Building.

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Independence Visitor Center

Over the past year and a half, Bluecadet has worked with the Independence Visitor Center Corporation and the National Park Service to reimagine one of the country’s most popular visitors centers, located on Independence Mall. Following a thorough planning phase—which involved a brand refresh, environmental graphic design assessment, interpretive planning, and reprogramming/improvements to the architectural scheme—we’ve teamed up with SaylorGregg Architects and Dan Bosin Associates to implement the master plan as part of a $15MM renovation which broke ground earlier this year.

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Mann Center for Performing Arts

Located in Fairmount Park, the Mann Center for Performing Arts has been Philly’s go-to spot for summer concerts and performances since 1976. To commemorate the organizations’ 40th anniversary, their team enlisted us to investigate all aspects of their visitor experience with a focus on digital signage. After conducting numerous interviews and attending almost a dozen concerts, we assembled a playbook for their short-term and long-term vision, including strategies for improving their online presence, more effectively highlighting upcoming shows, streamlining navigation of their website, and even how to decrease beer line wait times. With a list of priorities, we’ve transitioned to an implementation phase, which will result in some exciting new additions in the not-too-distant future.

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Lit Brothers Building

In 1891, Samuel and Jacob Lit opened what they called “A Great Store in A Great City.” A hundred and twenty-five years later, the brothers’ department store is gone, but their building still stands proudly just down the street from Philadelphia City Hall and has become an intersection for pedestrians at street level and passers-through from the adjoining regional rail underground. As an homage to the building’s past, we concepted a new entrance canopy reminiscent of others from eras past. However, this time we gave it a contemporary twist by including dynamic signage on the under side and interior vestibule. A mix of content—including the classic Lits’ script, abstractions of the well-known window patterns, and seasonal displays—will invite the passers-by into the six-story atrium space filled with new businesses and possibly even another surprise as well…stay tuned.